Hi,

Am planning to go back to school to get RN licensure. Was wondering if anyone here works as a nurse and would like to share some of their experience either in school or in the field. Not sure myself of which aspect of nursing fits me best, but I'm hopeful that I'll find out soon enough =)

Thanks and look forward to reading your replies!

Hey, I used to work as a renal RN for quite a number of years and found this extremely rewarding. It was slightly more technical, as I used to dialyse and there was more autonomy of practice too.

It could be very pressurised and quite stressful at times though. I could never have coped with the ER though, far too busy for my liking, however, renal was just halfway and gave me just what I wanted. Not as bad as the ER, but not quite as technical as ITU, but then just enough with the dialysis so that I did not stagnate either.

Good luck

Hi there,

I am a male nurse and worked all areas of nursing before going into anesthesia. Try different areas and see what really turns you on. I liked med-surg. and psych. but I couldn't make enough money in nursing so went on into nurse anesthesia and have been doing that for the past 35 years and really like it. I have worked in many kinds of anesthesia settings, by myself, with docs, and with other nurse anesthetists, and now am in a sort of semi-retirement setting where I don't have to take "call" or work any evenings, weekends, or holidays. A lot of anesthetists that I know have left hospital employment and free-lance or do just locums work and they make a lot of money at it. It's a good way to go if you don't mind traveling and variety. It has it's advantages and disadvantages just like any other aspect of nursing tho. Since you are just starting out, try different things and talk to people and do a lot of research before you settle on one. It all depends on what you want. Good luck to you and take care.

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R.J.

I am proud of your decision on going to nursing school. I am in my last year...whew...and have one small piece of advice. It will be in your best interest to work in the field as you are in school-given you have the opportunity and your lifestyle permits it. So many of my peers are going to school full time and are completely lost at clinicals. I work in the ER and have come across many-many situations where I was thanking my lucky stars for having that experience. They have something called the NURSE EXTERN PROGRAM where in your last yr of nursing school you actually take on the role of a nurse-under the supervision of a clinical nurse. I love it-and I know you will too. Good luck!

I'm a nurse too. It's great. Right now I work in Tuberculosis Control for a Health Department. I love being a nurse and there are so many opportunities.

I sometimes miss the hospital. I really LIKED the ER, but it's not for everyone.

Later this year I'll finish my coursework to become a nurse practitioner. It's the perfect job for me and I'm really enjoying my clinical training.

Nursing is a huge field; there are endless options and a lot of exceptionally well-paying jobs. As you can see just from the replies, we're all nurses but our jobs vary tremendously.

I hated a lot of nursing school, but it gets better as the years go on. My course work is pretty good now. In fact, I'm even thinking of getting a PhD in nursing! (I never thought I'd say that).

I have to go to bed! I have to see patients early tomorrow morning.

I am an RN. Work in a surgical-Neorsugical intensive care unit and I also work in the Hyperbaric/wound care. Toltally 2 different worlds. I guess I wouldnt recommend being joint appointed right after you graduate but down the line it might work for you. Hope I helped.

Hi there,
Welcome to the world of nursing! We are in desperate need of good and caring people in the profession. I have been a nurse for 7 years and have worked Med-Surg, Telemetry, Trauma ICU, Heart Transplant, and ER. I just began working in the ER 4 months ago. Although it is extremely fast paced I never seem to get bored. I am also learning something new everyday, which I like.
My advice to you is work in a hospital in your area as a tech or nurses aide to gain experience in the "basics". Also, starting off in Med-surg as my first job was great experience for me to learn and practice IV starts, Foley and nasogastric tube inserts, along with organizational skills. Good luck and welcome!

:wave: I also am going to school to be an R.N. I just started, so right now I'm going through ALL the prerequisites. The only thing that annoys me about the prereq's is the math. It's my worst subject, although I did just pass my math class with a "B" (I'm VERY proud of myself!!! :D ).

I would LOVE to work in either Labor & Delivery, the NICU or pediatrics (I love kids!). My ultimate dream is to be a Nurse Practioner. I am so excited about going back to school!!!! I love the thought of being capable of helping someone and saving lives, but along with that excitement comes ALOT of fear (I guess fear of doing something wrong that may actually hurt someone instead of helping them). I have heard that is is a good idea to have that hospital "experience" before starting clinicals.

Does anyone else have anymore helpful advice?

Hi,

Am planning to go back to school to get RN licensure. Was wondering if anyone here works as a nurse and would like to share some of their experience either in school or in the field. Not sure myself of which aspect of nursing fits me best, but I'm hopeful that I'll find out soon enough =)

Thanks and look forward to reading your replies!

I am not a nurse yet but I too am planing on attending college this year to get my LPN and then work towards my RN all though I haven't decided which area I would like to specialize in I think I might try becoming a travling nurse. It sounds exciting to me!!!

I've heard that traveling nurses do make more than one's employed by a hospital, for example.

I am not a nurse yet but I too am planing on attending college this year to get my LPN and then work towards my RN all though I haven't decided which area I would like to specialize in I think I might try becoming a travling nurse. It sounds exciting to me!!!

First, I hope no LPNs take this the wrong way and become offended: If you know you want to become an RN, why go for LPN first? What you need to decide is: do you want to be a LPN or a RN? They are so similar anymore, the only big difference is the length of schooling. LPNs now do darn near as much as RNs do, with a few exceptions.
To decide if you should be a LPN vs RN, think about where you want to be in 5 years after graduation. If you want to be in administration or teaching, then you most certainly need your BSN. If your goal is to work with the elderly, and do that long term, become a LPN.
There are so many variables, you need to think long and hard before expending the time and money.
Good luck!
PS: I've been a RN for 16 years, and have worked OB, med-surg, long term care, ER, dr's office, insurance exams, and now work comp.

How well do you like being an R.N.? Is it as rewarding as I hope it will be?